Practice tethered ball

ABSTRACT

A game apparatus particularly adaptable for use in practicing and learning the fundamentals of the game of tennis includes a ball, e.g., a tennis ball, suspended from a cord. The cord is connected at one end of a rigid rod having springs selectively coupled to the other end, and a stabilizing member is coupled to and spaced from the ends of the rod. The rod and stabilizing member are rotatably coupled to a supporting structure. In use, when the suspended ball is truck with a blow, e.g., with a tennis racket, the ball will swing outward in an arc, against the force of a spring and the gravitational force acting on the stabilizer, and then will rapidly and smoothly return to the stroking position as a result of the combined forces of gravity and a spring.

United States Patent [191' Culpepper 1 Jan. 21, 1975 [76] Inventor: James H. Culpepper, 1712 Beech,

Pine Bluff, Ark. 71601 [22.] Filed: Aug. 10, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 387,448

52 s. Cl. 273/29 A, 273/2 6 E, 273795 A [51] Int. Cl A63b 69/38 [58] Field of Search.... 273/26 E, 95 A, 29 A, 58 C, 273/200 R, 184 B, 185 C [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,708,796 4/1929 Lawrence 273/29 A 2,506,825 5/1950 Carlson 273/26 E 2,606,025 8/1952 Horning 273/26'E 3,301,556 1/1967 Hamilton, Jr. et al 273/95 A 3,460,391 8/1969 Lomas 273/200 R 3,626,502 12/1971 Weil 273/26 E PRACTICE TETHERED BALL Primary ExaminerRichard C. Pinkham Assistant ExaminerTheatrice Brown Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Joseph A. Strode [57,] ABSTRACT A game apparatus particularly adaptable for use in practicing and learning the fundamentals of the game of tennis includes a ball, e.g., a tennis ball, suspended from a cord. The cord is connected at one end of a rigid rod having springs selectively coupled to the other end, and a stabilizing member is coupled to and spaced from the ends of the rod. The rod and stabilizing member are rotatably coupled to a supporting structure. In use, when the suspended ball is truck with a blow, e.g., with a tennis racket, the ball will swing outward in an are, against the force of a spring and the gravitational force acting on the stabilizer, and

then will rapidly and smoothly return to the stroking position as a result of the combined forces of gravity and a spring.

1 Claim, 3 Drawing Figures PRACTICE TETHERED BALL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to game devices, and

more particularly to the type of game apparatus in which a ball is suspended for the purpose of being stroked with a racket or similar device.

2. Description of the Prior Art The art is replete with basic game devices in which a ball is connected to an end of a cord for purpose of limiting the range of motion of the ball when struck by a device such as a paddle, bat, club, or racket. Examples of such captive ball devices include U.S. Pat. No. 2,058,277 to Walther; U.S. Pat. No. 2,134,328 to Dickson; U.S. Pat. No. 2,606,025 to Horning; U.S. Pat. No. 2,751,226 to Conway; U.S. Pat. No. 2,851,272 to Satzer; U.S. Pat. No. 3,006,647 to Haskett; U.S. Pat. No. 3,194,557 to Holley; U.S. Pat. No. 3,301,556 to Hamilton, Jr., et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 3,454,275 to Pontone; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,663,018 to OLeary.

Such prior art devices generally suffer from mechanical problems as well as practical problems such as frequent entanglement of the suspended ball. Generally the captive ball is allowed to rotate freely, in either a horizontal or vertical path, until the energy derived from the stroke is dissipated by frictional and gravitational forces. Generally the operator must physically return the ball to the stroking position, such that the devices are not adaptable to continuous usage without change of operator position. Also, many such devices are limited in usage to the practice of such particular sports as golf or baseball.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The complete apparatus of this invention includes the basic elements of a support structure, a stabilizer, two or more springs, a rigid rod and a ball suspended from a cord. The support structure serves the purposes of enabling the ball'to be suspended vertically downward and as a mounting structure for the springs and stabilizer. The combination of the springs and stabilizer desireably control the motion of the suspended ball.

In a specific embodiment, a pair of springs are connected to an end of the rod, and the other ends of the springs are selectively directionally spaced apart and are fixedly secured to the support structure. From the common juncture of the springs and rod, the rod extends vertically downward, and at the lower end of the rod a cord is attached which has a ball connected to its other end. A stabilizing member is connected to the rod and spaced from its ends. The stabilizer and rod are rotatably mounted to the support structure, such that they are enabled to rotate when the suspended ball is struck with a blow, as from a tennis racket.

In use, when the ball is struck it arcs outward in a captive path determined by the length of the cord and causes the rod and stablizer to rotate in a lesser arc. The energy of the ball derived from the stroke is in part dissipated by frictional forces, but is in large measure stored in one spring and in the stablizer. The energy stored in the spring and the gravitational forces acting on the ball and the stabilizer cause the ball to return to the stroking position. The combination of forces exerted by the springs and stabilizer result in a desireably smooth and rapid return of the ball to the stroking position.

The specific embodiment described herein has been found to be particularly adaptable for use in teaching and practicing the fundamentals of the game of tennis. Such fundamentals as the proper stance of the player, the proper swing and follow through, and reaction of the returned ball, may be repeatedly practiced and learned.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is more particularly described with reference to the specific embodiment depicted in the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a general isometric view of the apparatus of the invention; and

FIG. 2A is a frontal view of the apparatus when not in use, and FIG. 2B is a frontal view of the apparatus when the ball has been stroked.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION As depicted in FIG. 1, the embodiment of the invention specifically disclosed herein includes a support structure comprising a pole member 14 which is vertically supported, such as by mounting onto a platform 9. The member 15 extends horizontally from or near the top of vertically disposed member 14. The support structure comprising members 14 and 15 serves principally as a mounting structure for the principal apparatus of the invention.

The springs 11 and 12 are secured to respective ends of a bar 18 which is connected to and disposed perpendicularly with respect to member 15, and the ends of the springs are approximately equal distance from the member 15. The other ends of springs 11 and 12 are connected to the upper end of the rod 13 at a common juncture 29. The springs are stretched to a desired initial tension. The rod 13 extends vertically downward from point 29 and at its lower end at point 25, a cord 23 is connected thereto and extends vertically downward and has a ball 21 connected to its lower end. The cord 23 is coated with a substance such as common shellac, which gives the cord a degree of stiffness which tends to render the stroked ball more controllable. A stabilizing member 16 is connected perpendicularly with respect to rod 13, and the rod 13 and stabilizer 16 are rotatably mounted with respect to member 15 by means of coupler 17.

In operation, a player will undertake the proper stance with respect to the suspended ball 21, generally facing the direction of the extended member 15, such as to strike the ball 21 so that it will swing in an arc generally at right angles with respect to the common path of the player, the cord 23, and the member 14. As the ball 21 is struck, it swings outward in an are determined by the length of cord 23 and the lower part of rod 13. The point 25 effectively serves as a hinge, enabling the ball to swing in a wider arc than the rod 13. The rod 13 will also be forced to swing in an arc, against the force of one spring, and against the force of gravity acting on the stabilizer, but in a lesser arc than the cord 23.

For example, with particular reference to FIG. 2A, if the player strikes the ball to the left when facing the apparatus, such as would be the stroke of a right-handed player, the rod 13 will assume a maximum angle of deflecting D1, whereas the ball 21 and cord 23 will assume a maximum angle of deflection D2, which is larger than D1. The kinetic energy transferred to the ball is dissipated by frictional forces and absorbed by the stabilizer 16 and spring 11. The stabilizer 16 will rotate, against the forces of gravity and spring 11, and when the ball reaches its maximum point of deflection the stabilizer will also contain stored energy. As the rod 13 rotates, it is assisted by the spring 12 which contains an initial tension, and operates against the force of spring 11, which stores energy as it is stretched.

As the kinetic energy derived from the stroke of the player is dissipated and stored, the ball reaches a maximum point of deflection, and then returns in the same controlled path. The energy stored in the stabilizer l6 and spring 11, as well as gravitational force acting on the ball 21, cause the ball to return, under captivation of the cord 23, to the normal stroking position. This combination of forces causes the ball 21 to return rapidly and smoothly, thereby simulating the return of a tennis ball. The player can then againstrike the ball, and may repeat the process continuously, thereby simulating playing the game of tennis.

It is thus apparent that the present invention does not suffer from the limitation of requiring the operator to return the ball to the proper stroking position. The tennis ball does not readily become entangled with the apparatus. The structure is simple and economical, and may be readily assembled. The initial tension as well as size of springs 11 and 12 may be adjusted, and the height of the ball 21 may be readily adjusted. so as to suit the physical capabilities of the player. lt is readily apparent that the apparatus is useful for the practice of such games as tennis, and particularly for teaching such fundamentals as the proper stance. proper stroke, and follow through What is claimed is:

l. A game apparatus, including a support structure having an elevated horizontally disposed elongated first member connected thereto. said first member being connected to said support structure such that one of its end is fixed and its other end is free, an elongated second member connected intermediate its ends to said first member at a generally right angle thereto and at a selected distance from the ends thereof. an elongated rigid member vertically disposed and rotatably coupled intermediate its ends to the free end of said first member, first and second elongated spring members having one end connected to the upper end of said rigid member and their other ends connected to respective ends of said second member. a stabilizing member connected to said rigid member and rotatably coupled to the free end of said first member, and wherein a ball is suspended from the lower end of said rigid member. 

1. A game apparatus, including a support structure having an elevated horizontally disposed elongated first member connected thereto, said first member being connected to said support structure such that one of its end is fixed and its other end is free, an elongated second member connected intermediate its ends to said first member at a generally right angle thereto and at a selected distance from the ends thereof, an elongated rigid member vertically disposed and rotatably coupled intermediate its ends to the free end of said first member, first and second elongated spring members having one end connected to the upper end of said rigid member and their other ends connected to respective ends of said second member, a stabilizing member connected to said rigid member and rotatably coupled to the free end of said first member, and wherein a ball is suspended from the lower end of said rigid member. 